Kingscliff fine after King George flop

Connections of Kingscliff have given the Betfair Chase winner a clean bill of health – despite his disappointing run in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

Robert Alner’s eight-year-old was pulled-up in the Christmas feature at Sandown, which was won by Kicking King.

But after a rigorous examination from a physio earlier in the week, Kingscliff was given the all-clear and could return for the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 11 or even the Letherby & Christopher Chase at Cheltenham on January 28.

“He is basically alright and there is nothing untoward,” explained Sally Alner, wife of the Dorset-based trainer.

“He’s just a little bit sore from when he hit the fence and it will not stop our preparations.

“His next race could be the Letherby & Christopher Chase at the end of January or the Aon Chase,” she told the Racing Post.